7.a Draft 12-3-2018 PRC Minutes
City of Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
Monday, December 3, 2018
Members Present: Terry Gorham (Chair), Carol Schwinghammer, Dan Lee, and Jim Schneider (City
Council Representative)
Members Absent: Dustin Hegland (Vice Chair) and Cami Van Abel
Staff Present: Judi Negus (Office Assistant) and Adam Hawkinson (Director of Public Works)
Chair Gorham called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
Scandia resident Janie O’Connor inquired about the status of the previously proposed BMX bike track.
Chair Gorham explained the proposed track is currently no longer under consideration and is not
included in the 2019 Capital Improvement Fund.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion by Schwinghammer, seconded by Lee, to approve the agenda. The motion carried 3-0.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Lee, seconded by Schwinghammer, to approve the November 5, 2018 minutes. The
motion carried 3-0.
REPORTS
Chair Report
Chair Gorham provided a written report. Gorham attended the November 17, 2018 City Council
meeting and reported the ice rink attendants have been recommended for hire. Gorham did follow
up with Doran O’Brien and suggested he contact City staff to reserve the Community Center and ask
for help to promote a “Family Movie Night.”
City Administrator Report
Committee members reviewed the financial reports provided by Administrator Soltis. Gorham noted
the $12,000 YTD amount from park dedication fees. The outstanding negative balance for the
Lilleskogen parking lot will be paid from the park dedication fees. The negative balance does not
impact the proposed $100,000 capital fund allocation for 2019.
Public Works Director Report
Hawkinson provided Committee members with the Public Works November 2018 activity report.
Staff has been flooding the ice rink and there may be a volunteer to help with the task. The volunteer
would not be responsible for using the Zamboni. Negus shared she and John Beattie have scheduled
a mandatory orientation for new ice rink attendants for December 4 and 5, 2018.
OLD BUSINESS
Programing Survey
Gorham created a draft programming survey using Survey Monkey to help determine the
community’s interests and needs. The survey included: What are the areas of interest? Willingness
to pay a nominal fee? Willingness to share a talent? Gorham informed there are restrictions for using
December 3, 2018
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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the basic plan for Survey Monkey at no cost; there are better analyzing tools when using a paid for
plan. Committee members agreed the second question of the survey should be, “As a participant,
would you be willing to pay a nominal fee to offset the material costs?” Q uestion three should be
clarified to include “voluntarily share your talents…” Committee members reviewed the list of
interests on the survey. Some suggestions for inclusion were dance, jewelry making and
skateboarding. Gorham will prepare a revised draft survey to share with Committee members at the
January 7, 2019 meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
Review Mock-up Advertisement for Hockey Rink
Schwinghammer shared the mock-up advertisement she created with Committee members. The
advertisement would follow the guidelines previously established and approved by City Council.
Negus included the Guidelines for the Wojtowicz Skate Park Advertising Signs in the meeting
materials for Committee reference. The “Advertise Your Company or Organization Here”
advertisement would be a permanent sign.
Mayor Maefsky addressed the Committee as a representative of the Scandia Heritage Alliance.
Maefsky introduced members Lila Deneke, Sarah Porubcansky and Sue Rodsjo. Rodsjo shared the
purpose of the Scandia Heritage Alliance is to promote cultural heritage. Maefsky informed the
Alliance hopes to restore the “water tower barn” and is considering locations for the restored barn.
Two locations currently being considered include near the Hwy 97/95 overlook in the river valley to
serve as an information center for the St. Croix Valley and expansion of Community Center grounds.
The Alliance has explored the idea of the water tower barn being located at the current South Ball
Field on Olinda Trail. The barn could potentially be a venue for arts, culture, or music and would be
in close proximity to the Gammelgarden Museum. The Alliance plans to involve community input in
May 2019 to determine the best location for the water tower barn.
The Alliance requested the Committee postpone pursuing advertising signage at the skating rink until
the future vision of a revitalized downtown area is determined. Gorham explained the goal is to
highlight local merchants on the signage and questioned how the signage would change the dynamic
of the water tower barn. Additionally, Gorham and members of the Committee reminded the Scandia
Heritage Alliance members that, in the event it is determined that signage does have an impact on
the historical nature of the area, the signage policy approved by City Council has a three-year term
and can be non-renewed at the end of that three-year period.
Motion by Lee, seconded by Gorham, to proceed with the promotion of advertising at the hockey
rink. Committee members discussed the estimated cost for the mock-up advertising sign. The cost
would come out of the Parks general fund.
Gorham amended the motion to proceed with the promotion of hockey rink signage on the
condition that the promotional advertisement be $300 or less, seconded by Lee. Schwinghammer
opposed. The motion carried 2-1.
December 3, 2018
Scandia Parks and Recreation Committee
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City-owned Parcels Listing
Soltis shared a listing of all City-owned parcels with the Committee. Negus pointed out that many of
these parcels are parts of road right-of-way that have been deeded to the City as a requirement for
a conditional use permit or variance. O’Connor addressed the Committee and requested a City-wide
map identifying all City-owned parcels. The City has a GIS program that may have that capability.
Negus agreed to follow up with Administrator Soltis. The Washington County Survey Division and
Washington County Environmental Services may be other sources to obtain the requested map.
Review of Rink Reservation Policy
Gorham received a request to reserve the Wojtowicz Skate Park for a one-time Squirts hockey game.
The current policy for the rink does not allow reservations on weekends. Committee members
agreed the game may present rink maintenance costs and other concerns, such as limiting rink use
by the public. Committee members agreed there was no need to make changes to the ice rink policy.
The Committee would be open to considering closing the ice rink to the public for a tournament that
would benefit maintenance of the Wojtowicz Skate Park. Any potential sponsors of an event would
use the Special Event Permit Application process and seek approval through normal means.
Planning for Skate Park Improvements
Hawkinson shared pictures of skate board equipment for consideration of skateboard equipment
replacement scheduled for 2019. Hawkinson informed there is $12,000 designated in the 2019
Capital Improvement Fund. Several of the pieces of equipment need to be assembled and are sent
in kits. Committee members agreed the equipment should be installed and built by the vendor.
Hawkinson will continue to research more vendors and share other skateboard equipment
recommendations at next month’s PRC meeting.
AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING
The proposed agenda for the Monday, January 7, 2019 meeting:
1. Path Proposal
2. Grant Proposal Outcome for Lilleskogen
3. Revised Programming Survey
4. Skateboard Park Improvements
ADJOURNMENT
Motion by Schwinghammer, seconded by Lee, to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried 3-0.
The meeting adjourned at 9:12 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Judi Negus
Office Assistant